Sunday, September 11, 2005

Titans face Bulldogs without Blevings

After winning the easy way (7-0 by default) over the disbanded Amsterdam Zephyrs, the Montreal Titans are having their work cut out for them in three Empire Football League road outings...if a 45-22 thumping by Watertown Red & Black and a 33-22 loss to the Albany Metro Mallers can serve as any indication.

The Titans visit the 7-1 Orange County Bulldogs tonight following a Labor Day breather next weekend. The club will likely be without leading scorer Andre Blevings (59 points), who suffered a knee injury in Albany.

The Titans are slated to return home for an pre-playoff exhibition tuneup against the Broome County Dragons Sept. 24 at 7:30 p.m. at Billings. That game replaces an originally scheduled date with the now-defunct Green Mountain Gladiators.

Tyrel Hoas, Andrew Blevings and Max Arthur scored the Titans touchdowns against Watertown but it was not nearly enough. The Titans' defence was constantly under attack in spite of a clutch interception by Steve Crompton and staunch tackling by Adrian Kellman, Corvell Isaacs and newcomer Todd Powell.

Geoff Brown led the way against Albany with six pass receptions for 65 yards and a touchdown. Zawdie Parahoo scored on an eight-yard aerial from quarterback Sean Hoas, who has gained 656 yards through the air this season. Jean-Marc Michel with a fumble recovery notched the other major. Blevings and Tyrel Hoas each contributed a two-point convert.

Playoffs get under way on Oct. 1. Unless the Titans can pull an upset over Orange County tonight, they will finish the season with a 6-4 record (including two wins by default).